Have you been meaning to look up all the new fall TV shows online, but haven’t gotten around to it yet? Maybe you’ve been waiting all summer long for one of those preview specials that the major TV networks used to air during weekends. Or perhaps you’ve already seen all these previews and would just like a little behind-the-scenes knowledge on what’s going to last longer than one season. Either way, PopMatters has got you covered.
We’re taking a look at Tuesday nights with trailers, series summaries, premiere dates, and reviews. NCIS will face some serious competition; ABC completely revamps its schedule, FOX tries some new sitcoms on for size, the CW puts its faith in monsters, and NBC makes one of the dumbest moves of the year by putting a weight-loss show on against TV”s heavy-hitters.
7PM
ABC Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Premiered September 24th
Loosely based in the world of Marvel Comics’ superhero movies, this drama follows the lives of government agents who protect and serve regular people in cases involving those with superpowers. Produced by Buffy mastermind Joss Whedon, and taking place after the events of The Avengers, a more fitting name would be The Agent Coulson Show. Don’t expect to see The Hulk, Captain America, or any of the A-list Hollywood actors who play them in every episode, though special guest appearances during the November and May sweeps are a possibility.
It’s a fairly fresh concept, but it all seems so dreadfully serious. With awesome super-powered superheroes (presumably) flying around, this show shouldn’t look as stuffy as a futuristic Law & Order. The trailer does hint at a little humor, however. If it can bring more of that, then this has a chance of staying on up against the highest rated show on TV. Otherwise, it’ll be gone by January.
The Competition: NCIS (CBS), The Biggest Loser (NBC), The Originals (The CW), and FOX’s Dads/Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Watch it if you liked: Arrow or Nikita.
The CW The Originals
Premieres October 15th
In this Vampire Diaries spin-off, Klaus, Elijah, and Caroline (the world’s first vampires) move back to the city of their origin, New Orleans. While there, they become involved in a turf war amongst vampires, witches, and werewolves. Though one can sense a few love triangles forming, it’s less sudsy than its teen soap origins would have you believe.
As someone who has little knowledge of and no interest in The Vampire Diaries, I found The Originals surprisingly watchable. Regardless of its impossible-to-beat competition, this should still rank high enough to warrant at least another season.
The Competition: NCIS (CBS), Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC), The Biggest Loser (NBC), and Dads/Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX).
Watch it if you liked: The Vampire Diaries or Moonlight.
FOX Dads
Premiered September 17th
Two men find it difficult to live with their annoying fathers in this live-action sitcom from Family Guy creator and lousy Oscar host Seth MacFarlane.
I really wanted to be the only writer who didn’t pass this off as an offensive piece of garbage, but it truly is as bad as everyone says it is. The jokes range from barely amusing to tastelessly racist. The first episode features a female co-worker dressed up in a “schoolgirl” outfit in order to please “Asian businessmen”. Then there’s a bunch of jokes about Chinese people and references to Japan.
This show is so badly written that it can’t even keep straight what country it wants to offend. The good news is that it will most likely be canceled and replaced by Raising Hope before Halloween.
The Competition: NCIS (CBS), Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC), The Biggest Loser (NBC), and The Originals (The CW).
Watch it if you liked: Two & A Half Men or $#*! My Dad Says.
7:30PM
FOX Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Premiered September 17th
Imagine Rookie Blue if one of the officers was a total idiot. That’s the major plot behind this police precinct-set sitcom starring Andy Samberg as the total moron, Melissa Fumero as the female cop with something to prove, and Andre Braugher as their seriously professional, frequently infuriated boss.
Parts of the preview are pretty funny. Once the network cancels Dads, expect to see this take its place. As long as Samberg keeps his pants on, this could be a modern Car 54, Where Are You?
The Competition: NCIS (CBS), Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC), The Biggest Loser (NBC), and The Originals (The CW).
Watch it if you liked: The Good Guys or 10-8: Officers On Duty.
8PM
ABC The Goldbergs
Premiered September 24th
See life circa 1989 through the eyes of a boy who films his wacky family with a bulky camcorder. Mixed in with the REO Speedwagon and Flavor Flav references are heartwarming family moments and familiar sitcom craziness.
There have been many shows set in the ’80s in recent years, and most of them have been horrible. But out of all the fall TV previews I’ve seen this year, this has been my favorite. Some of the jokes are really funny, the cast is likable, and the concept is genuinely interesting. Unfortunately, if this isn’t moved to Wednesday nights soon, it’s a goner.
The Competition: NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS), The Voice (NBC), New Girl (FOX), and Supernatural (The CW).
Watch it if you liked: The Middle or Freaks & Geeks.
8:30PM
ABC Trophy Wife
Premiered September 24th
A woman (Malin Ackerman) adjusts to life with her new husband and their extended family of stepchildren and ex-wives. It’s from the creators of Modern Family, but is a little less family-friendly than you would think.
It’s the type of show that will vary from one episode to the next. The characters seem likable, even though the initial plots throw some stupid situations at them. Perhaps a move to Wednesday nights will help its ratings.
The Competition: NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS), The Voice (NBC), The Mindy Project (FOX), and Supernatural (The CW).
Watch it if you liked: Modern Family or Hope & Faith.
9PM
ABC Lucky 7
Premiered September 24th
The lives of seven mini-mart/gas station employees change forever after they must share a multi-million dollar lottery payoff. The drama lies in personality changes, previous money problems, and the poor co-worker who didn’t buy a ticket that week.
“Winning the lottery isn’t all good” is a familiar and depressing TV plotline. While the original UK version (titled The Syndicate) did well, I’m guessing that US audiences will either tire of it quickly or likely not tune in at all.
The Competition: Person of Interest (CBS) and Chicago Fire (NBC).
Watch it if you liked: The Nine or The Syndicate.